“I was very hesitant about going on, I thought it was a terrible idea because if you get buzzed off it’s on YouTube forever.

“But Cal was very keen - he’s young and enthusiastic whereas I’m an old has-been.

“We went for an audition and it went unbelievably well – it’s got more than a million hits on YouTube so far.”

Joey and Cal Halbert (Image: SYCO/THAMES TV /PA Wire)

Since appearing on the show Alfie and optician Cal, both veteran impressionists, were asked to perform with Ant and Dec at the annual Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) charity ball.

Alfie said: “Everywhere you looked there were celebrities laughing at you, and it’s amazing the number of people who have got in touch.

“I have no worries about not going any further – it’s nice that people are complaining and setting up petitions but we’ve gone much further that I thought we would, and that one gig has already done us the world of good.”

The Mimic Men are performing at Jesterval, part of The North East Comedy Festival, on June 11.